Malone vs. Indiana Wesleyan Box Score  |  Malone vs. Georgetown Box Score

The Malone University volleyball team travelled to the Hoosier state on Friday afternoon to begin its 2011 season by competing in a pair of matches at a crossover tournament co-hosted by Indiana Wesleyan and Taylor Universities.  The Pioneers opened day one of the event with a four-set loss to IWU, falling by final scores of 17-25, 25-23, 23-25, and 21-25. Malone then bounced back in the second match of the day, registering a hard-fought win over Georgetown (KY) College in five sets by final marks of 14-25, 25-22, 25-22, 18-25, and 16-14.

The Pioneers' overall record moved to 1-1 following Friday's action.  Malone will continue play at the event on Saturday as the venue moves from Taylor's campus in Upland, Indiana to IWU's gym in Marion, Indiana.  The Pioneers are set to face Olivet Nazarene (IL) University at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday before wrapping up the day with a 1:30 p.m. match against Indiana Tech, the squad Malone defeated in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round last November.

In Friday's opener against Indiana Wesleyan, outside hitter Megan Fisher led the way with 12 kills and 10 digs. Middle hitters Lauren Townley and Hannah Haver followed with totals of 10 and eight kills, respectively. In her collegiate debut, outside hitter Taylor Slauterbeck contributed eight kills, six digs and one service ace. Libero Allison Kirby added a team-high 12 digs while setter Jackie Schwamberger totaled 31 assists with six digs and three kills.

Fisher again led the way in the victory over Georgetown, posting 11 kills, four service aces and nine digs. Haver notched nine kills while Townley and fellow middle hitter Diana Wallace recorded eight kills apiece. Schwamberger dished out 39 assists while Kirby scooped up nine digs.